First, a bit of clarification: Memorial Day, celebrated on the last Monday in May, honors all service members who gave their lives in defense of our nation. Veterans Day, a federal holiday that falls on November 11, honors the more than 19 million living veterans who served this nation. Armed Forces Day, the third Saturday in May, honors all active-duty personnel in the U.S. Armed Forces.

Monday, May 26, is Memorial Day 2025. You can honor the fallen by attending memorial services in your community or laying flowers and planting flags on graves at your local veterans cemetery. It is the day to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice. While enjoying your long weekend, your family get-together, your trip to the mountains or beach, take a moment to remember that we are here because they were there … for us.

Arlington National Cemetery on Memorial Day — On Memorial Day, graves from every era of American history are marked with U.S. flags at Arlington National Cemetery. Beginning with the Civil War, more than 400,000 individuals have been laid to rest here.

~ Remember and Honor ~

It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God such men lived.
—George S. Patton

Our nation owes a debt to its fallen heroes that we can never fully repay. But we can honor their sacrifice, and we must. We must honor it in our own lives by holding their memories close to our hearts, and heeding the example they set.
–Barack Obama

Sharing tales of those we’ve lost is how we keep from really losing them.
–Mitch Albom

Ceremonies are important. But our gratitude has to be more than visits to the troops and once a year Memorial Day ceremonies. We honor the dead best by treating the living well.
—Jennifer M. Granholm

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